History of St Edmund’s & Our School Today
Our Roots in Faith and Community
St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School has stood at the heart of the Millwall parish on the Isle of Dogs for more than a century. Our school was built in 1908, designed by architect Robert L. Curtis, and has maintained close and enduring links with St Edmund’s Parish, which has served the local community since 1874.
The parish story began when Archbishop Manning secured land in 1871, and the original St Edmund’s Church was opened on 19 August 1874 to serve the docklands Catholic community. In 1999–2000, a new parish church was built on the same site, blessed by Cardinal Basil Hume and opened by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor. Today, the parish and school continue to share one mission, one heart, and one faith.
Our Mission and Catholic Identity
Our mission “Through Christ we learn” is more than a motto – it is the way we live. It is displayed on all school signs, inside and outside, in classrooms and corridors, and above all, it is lived daily by pupils and staff.
Prayer, liturgy and worship shape our daily rhythm. Each classroom has a prayer focus, our reception area proclaims our Catholic identity, and our school prayer unites us in a common voice.
“For we are God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10)
The Catholic Schools Inspectorate judged our Catholic Life and Worship Outstanding, and our parish priest continues to be a regular presence in school. Together, we nurture pupils to grow as confident learners, compassionate neighbours, and faithful witnesses.
Our School Today
St Edmund’s is a one-form entry Catholic primary school with around 205 pupils. The majority of children are baptised Catholic, but we also welcome families of other Christian traditions, other world faiths, and none. This makes us both distinctively Catholic and joyfully diverse.
Our children come from a wide variety of backgrounds — White British, Bangladeshi, Black African and Caribbean, Eastern European, Latin American, Korean and mixed heritage. This rich diversity is celebrated as a gift: each child brings culture, language and life experience that strengthens our community.
We are proud to be a small school where every child is known by name, nurtured as an individual, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Flourishing Together
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Achievement: Reading outcomes (85%) and combined Reading/Writing/Maths (69%) are above national averages. Writing improved by +9% in a year, and RE attainment rose to 78% in 2025.
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Attendance: Rising steadily, now 94.4%, with persistent absence reduced significantly.
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Behaviour: Excellent – 94% of pupils had no reflections in 2025. Restorative practice is embedded, helping children to repair and grow.
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SEND: Around 15% of pupils have SEND, including 6 with EHCPs. Provision mapping ensures support is personalised and inclusive.
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Leadership: Pupils flourish as leaders – Caritas Ambassadors, Eco Team, Chaplaincy, Mini Vinnies and School Council give children a real voice and responsibility.
Living Out Our Values
Catholic Social Teaching
Our children learn to put faith into action through Catholic Social Teaching. They care for creation (Laudato Si’), raise funds for CAFOD and local foodbanks, and stand in solidarity with those in need.
British Values
At St Edmund’s, British Values are woven through school life:
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Democracy through the School Council and pupil voice in choosing saints and charities.
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Rule of Law through our behaviour policy and restorative practices.
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Individual Liberty through pupil choice and leadership opportunities.
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Mutual Respect and Tolerance through learning about other faiths, celebrating cultural diversity, and our annual International Day.
Equality and Inclusion
We are proud of our diverse community. Every child is valued, respected, and supported to thrive, regardless of background, faith, or ability. Our curriculum promotes equality, celebrates difference, and ensures that all children feel seen and included.
SPIRIT Values
Our SPIRIT values (Service, Prayer, Integrity, Respect, Inclusion, Truth) bring together Catholic teaching and British values. They form the moral and spiritual foundation of our school, shaping how we treat one another and how we serve the wider world.
Looking Ahead in Faith
From our foundation in 1908 to the thriving school we are today, St Edmund’s has always been a place of faith, learning and belonging. With Christ at the centre, we are more than a school – we are a family where every child is known, loved and empowered to flourish.
“The future has a name, and that name is hope.” — Pope Francis
CSI Inspection Summary – Through Christ We Learn
At St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School, we place Christ at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our mission “Through Christ we learn”, we celebrate the dignity of every child and nurture them to grow in faith, wisdom and love.
We are proud that in our last Catholic Schools Inspection (June 2019), the Diocese of Westminster recognised the strength of our community:
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Catholic Life – Outstanding
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Collective Worship – Outstanding
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Religious Education – Good (with Outstanding features)
These outcomes reflect the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the strong partnership we share with our families and parish.
Looking forward, our vision is clear:
Our vision is to deliver an outstanding and distinctive Catholic education with Christ at the heart of our community.
We aim to make our school a place of great enjoyment, to give all stakeholders pride; to value each child as an individual and encourage them to reach their full potential.As successful learners, we become confident individuals and mature as self-motivated, responsible citizens.
For we are God’s masterpiece.
We continue to work with determination and joy towards achieving this vision – an outstanding and distinctive Catholic education where every child is encouraged to live out their faith, celebrate their gifts, and make a positive difference in the world.
Ofsted Inspection Summary – January 2023
In January 2023, Ofsted confirmed that St Edmund’s continues to be a good school. Inspectors praised the way our Christian values shape everyday life. They noted that pupils arrive each morning to a warm welcome, that they feel safe, and that they treat one another with kindness and respect. Staff hold the highest expectations for all learners, including those with SEND, and pupils rise to that challenge with determination, hard work and joy in their learning.
The report highlighted our broad and ambitious curriculum, our strong provision in reading and mathematics, and the way children develop a real love of books right from Nursery. Inspectors also recognised that bullying is rare and swiftly addressed, and that safeguarding is effective, with staff vigilant, well trained and closely connected with families and outside agencies.
Progress Since 2023
Since that inspection, we have not stood still. With faith and commitment, the school has continued to grow stronger. Standards in reading, writing and maths have risen year on year – with combined outcomes now above national and borough averages. Writing has improved significantly, and RE attainment has climbed to 78%, reflecting both academic rigour and our Catholic identity.
Attendance has improved and persistent absence has fallen, because our children love coming to school. Behaviour is excellent – 94% of pupils had no reflections in 2025 – and where challenges arise, restorative approaches and pastoral care help children learn, repair and grow.
Our community is proud of how we live out Catholic Social Teaching. Pupil leadership flourishes through Caritas Ambassadors, Eco Teams, School Council and Mini Vinnies. These opportunities give children a voice, a sense of responsibility, and the lived experience of making a difference locally and globally.
Looking Ahead
With Christ at the centre of all that we do, St Edmund’s is more than a place of learning – it is a place of belonging, of hope, and of excellence. We are proud of our journey so far, and we continue to move forward with confidence, joy and faith, ensuring that every child is nurtured, challenged and empowered to flourish.